AMES, Iowa – The University of North Dakota men’s cross country team placed 24th today at the NCAA Division I Midwest Regional, hosted by Iowa State.

Big 12 champion Oklahoma State raced to a first-place finish after tying for first place a year ago. Third-ranked Oklahoma State took first with 45 points, followed by No. 13 Tulsa with 57 points and No. 24 Iowa State with 113 points.

Tulsa had the race’s individual winner. Senior Chris O’Hare led the pack with a time of 30:28.

Oklahoma State was led by Thomas Farrell who finished seventh overall. Oklahoma State had racers finish seven-eight-nine-10-11.

Senior Sam Saccoman paced North Dakota, finishing with a time of 32:26.1 and placing 95th. Classmate Ross Nelson was right behind with a time of 33:09.4.

“A couple of seniors, Sam and Ross, both had really good races,” said UND cross country coach Dick Clay. “Sam was our leader, as he and (junior) Nate Peterson have been all year. Ross really improved a lot over his four years and I don’t know that anyone thought he’d be where he is. They’ve both worked really hard.”